People of habit

[Jefferson Meriwether]

I can't say that I've particularly noticed the same vehicles on my commute other than the bus's. If I Pass the X53 in Charmouth I'm running on time; if, on the other hand, I pass the number 31 I know I'm on the last minute.

 

[Fnaar]

I keep seeing this hooded shrouded figure carrying a scythe.

 

[snorri]

There's a contra theory to that backed up by stats. You are at greater risk of an accident (in a car) within the first few miles of leaving your house. This is likely to be because you know the roads and can be in auto pilot. as it were..

I would have thought it is simply because it is these local roads that we use the most rather than any over confidence on the part of the driver. The roads close to home make up a portion of every journey we make to and from home.
I closely pass between my garden gateposts almost every day so believe these posts are the most likely location of any accident.

 

[400bhp]

No,I think you've misunderstood. Accident risk is measured per mile so frequency of driving the same roads has no effect on the stat. It's not the over confidence, more familiarity issue (mind starts wandering)

 

[Maz]

Yep, I see the same people walking, etc, every day.

If, for any reason, I am running late, I will see them at a point further down the road. I notice that they usually check the time on their watch or phone. I'm sure they're checking to see if I'm late or they're early!

 

[snorri]

(mind starts wandering)

maybe we should devote a new thread to this topic sometime.

 

[Sheldon Bourgeois]

Have started to make a real effort to cycle everyday to work (I was getting to the point where I would find every excuse possible but realised that I had to harden up!).
Going in everyday has made me realise just how much we are creatures of habit. I see the same people everyday at the same time...I can judge how early/late I am by the places that people are on the road or bus stop etc.
Anyone else find the same thing???
p.s. Have also found that so many people let on everyday and that kinda makes me smile!

I noticed the exact same thing this week! Some folks have even started to wave to me and say good morning.

 

[eddiemee]

I definitely have these signs on my route:
No traffic jam at the lights turning onto the main road = good time (or school holidays)
Guy jogging with his golden retriever = good job, nice and early today
Squash partner passing me on the hill (in his car) = about normal time
Guy with handlebar moustache at the bus stop = naughty eddiemee, very late today

 

[400bhp]

maybe we should devote a new thread to this topic sometime.

This is really really weird. I don't recall writing that "mind starts wandering" bit

 

[fossyant]

There's a contra theory to that backed up by stats. You are at greater risk of an accident (in a car) within the first few miles of leaving your house. This is likely to be because you know the roads and can be in auto pilot. as it were.

This ^^ is very true. Had more close misses near home (morning and evening) with folk who live near me - they are half asleep or auto pilot !

Recognising cars - it's only the rare or puke colour ones I remember like the lime green Seat Ibiza I see almost every day

 

[Stevie Mcluskey]

I see the same people most days on my trip in to work (quiet time 6.30 am) waiting at bus stops and the same guys cycling uphill to East Kibride as i'm going downhill. See the same lady jogger who always makes way for me on to the grass verge on the bypass road (no pavement).
Going home i'm usually leaving work at different times and its a lot busier so too busy checking traffic etc to know if there are regulars.
Find in the morning most other cyclist will give a wave or shout a quick morning which is always nice to see.

 

[gambatte]

Same here. There's an old guy on steel framed racer I usually pass on the dual carriageway at Whiston. I tend to judge how early/late I am by where I pass him.
Then there's the young guy on the folder I always seem to see coming the opposite direction through Brinsworth. The sightings always been within a few hundred yards.
Only on the way to work though.
I guess a 4:30 finish puts me just out of the rush hour?

 

[400bhp]

This is really really weird. I don't recall writing that "mind starts wandering" bit

Actually, this is concerning me a bit now.

 

[Matthames]

Going along the marsh I keep a look out at the railway line for the trains that run along it. If I see certain trains at certain stages I can quickly determine how early or late I am.

I have come across some regular traffic along the marsh road. In particular a Jag that overtakes me at almost the same spot depending on how late or early I am.

 

[al78]

There's a contra theory to that backed up by stats. You are at greater risk of an accident (in a car) within the first few miles of leaving your house. This is likely to be because you know the roads and can be in auto pilot. as it were.

There seems to be a paradox here. Normally increased driving experience makes you a better driver on average (one reason put forward as to why new young drivers are at increased risk of an accident), yet increased experience of driving on certain roads (local ones in this case) actually increases the risk of an accident. I appreciate it is all to do with a complex balance between experience, confidence and risk compensation, but it is an interesting result nonetheless.